In this Northern Highlight, we interview Catherine Jacob, an author based in York. Catherine tells us a bit about what she’s working on currently, and how she’s been touring schools round Yorkshire with Betsy Buglove and the Lucky Ladybirds. Link in bio 📚 @catherinejacob.bsky.social

For our April CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Network Champion & Social Media Lead Georgina Bulga has chosen The Great Bear by Annie Booker. Published by Two Hoots. Link in bio 📚 @twohootsbooks.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Ira Bova, an author based in Frodsham and originally from Ukraine. Ira tells us a bit about her books Extraordinary: To Dream and Irwin’s Huge Help. Link in bio 📚

Join Corrinne Averiss for a storytime and craft morning at Simply Books to celebrate the Children's Books North Network Prize! 🎟️ Book your child’s space following the link in our bio. luma.com/CorrinneAver... @newwritingnorth.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Helen Rutter, an author based in the Peak District’s Hope Valley. Helen tells us a bit about her latest book Advice From a Twelve Year Old Nobody, which came out on the 12th of Feb. Link in bio 📚 @harpercollins.bsky.social

Submissions for the inaugural Children’s Books North Network Prize are now closed! ✨ A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Prize Roadshow events and submitted an entry. Our judging panel can’t wait to see all the different ways you’ve brought Fabulous Frank to life.

We’re delighted to share that after a year as a dedicated member of the committee, our former Cuppas Lead Bethany Sparks has stepped into a new role as a CBNN Co-Lead alongside Emma and Bea 🎉

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Kate Herbert, Holly Bushnell, Tom Jordan, and Sara Semple. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚

Only a few days to go until submissions close for the CBNN Prize! The deadline is now Tuesday 10th March Noon, we are so excited to see all of your amazing work 🥳📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social

For our March CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Prize Champion Katie Siddall has chosen Coorie Doon by Jackie Kay and illustrated by Jill Calder. Published by Walker Books. Link in bio for full review 📚 @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

New Book Alert! 🦜My Pirate Colouring Book, out today with Igloo Books. My first time illustrating a full colouring book and hope I get to do more ⚓ #kidlitart #newbook

We’ve given you a bit more time to enter the CBNN Prize! Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to extend our call for entries deadline to Tuesday 10th March noon! 📚✨ @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social

The Children’s Books North Network turns 6! A huge thank you to all of our members and supporters, and to the original co-founders, Emma, Liz and Tilda. We are excited for the next 6 years and to see CBNN grow even bigger, with lots of amazing things to come 🎂🥳💝

It’s now only 1 week to go until the CBNN Prize deadline closes! We’re so excited to see all your submissions, follow the link in our bio for full information on how to enter 🥳📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Gaynor Andrews, an author based in Moray in the north east of Scotland. Gaynor tells us a bit about her rhyming picture book, Pandora and the Story Forge, which comes out in paperback in May! Link in bio 📚 @gaynorandrews.bsky.social

This week we interview Brooke, our newest CBNN Committee Member! Brooke is a bookseller at House of Books and Friends in Manchester, with a passion for getting children excited about reading. Link in bio for full interview 📚

Our Power of Reading Impact Report 2025 is now live! Discover how evidence-informed, book-based teaching boosts attainment, narrows gaps and helps children see themselves as readers and writers. Read more: https://clpe.org.uk/research/power-reading-impact-report-2025

It’s now only two weeks to go until the CBNN Prize deadline closes! We’re so excited to see all your submissions, follow the link in our bio for full information on how to enter 🥳📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Steve Webb, Beatrix Hatcher, Angela Wilson, and Gary Panton. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚

In this Northern Highlight, Scottish writer Martin Stewart has written a special blog for CBNN discussing Robert Burns and the poem Tam o' Shanter, how it inspires his work, including new book Sandy Fin: Mystery of the Phantom Diver, and why spooky stories need not only be reserved for Halloween.

For our first CBNN Reads of 2026, CBNN’s Mentor Lead Laura Lewis has chosen Swim, Shark, Swim! by Dom Conlon & Anastasia Izlesou. Published by Graffeg Publishing. Link in bio 📚 @graffegbooks.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Simon Lamb, an author based in Prestwick, a seaside town on the west coast of Scotland. Simon tells us a bit about his recent work, Mat o’ Shanter, a “versioning” of a really famous poem by Robert Burns called Tam o’ Shanter. Link in bio for full interview 📚

A few snippets from our brilliant 1-1 Portfolio Reviews with Tom Ashton-Booth last night, an exclusive opportunity to get industry advice on your CBNN Prize entry ahead of the submission deadline. We loved seeing all of your amazing ideas and designs for Fabulous Frank! 📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Kara McHale, a designer and illustrator based in Southport, Merseyside. Kara tells us a bit about her upcoming book, Bodie and the Ghost Showdown: An Emetophobia Story. Link in bio for full interview 📚

It’s now 1 month to go until the CBNN Prize deadline closes!We’re so excited to see all your submissions, follow the link in our bio for full information on how to enter 🥳📚

Submissions for the CBNN Prize close 26th February and our judges can’t wait to meet up in Manchester and look at the entries together! If you are an unpublished illustrator living in the North, please do enter! For all the info, go to: childrensbooksnorth.co.uk/cbnn-prize 📚

As part of the CBNN Prize, we have 3 FREE events coming up for aspiring Northern picture book illustrators. Follow the link in our bio for full information and tickets for these events 📚

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Emma Kate, Emma Whitehall, Salomey Doku, and Dawn Machell. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚 @salomeydraws.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Lisa J Allen, an author based in south Liverpool. Lisa tells us a bit about her debut middle grade novel, Undercover Angel : Crash Landing. Link in bio for full interview 📚 @lisajallen.bsky.social @tinytreebooks.bsky.social

The CBNN office will be closed from the 10th December until the 5th January. We can’t wait to see you all in 2026! Wishing you a restful break 📚

For our final CBNN Reads of 2025, CBNN’s Co-Lead & Publicist Beatrice Cross has chosen Come What May by Debi Gliori. Published by Bloomsbury. Link in bio for full review 📚 @debigliori.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Skye McKenna, a writer based in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She talks to us about Stonewitch, the fourth book in the Hedgewitch series. Link in bio for full interview 📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Mike Edwards, an author based in Teesside. He talks to us a bit about Riverskin, his debut novel. Mike is also working on his second book The Voice in the Flames! Link in bio for full interview 📚 @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

In this Guest Northern Highlight, Sara tells us about Stockroom, which is Stockport’s new creative and cultural space and town centre library. Sara is the Library Project Manager. Link in bio for full interview 📚

Our Co-Lead & Director Emma Layfield and Network Champion & Social Media Lead Georgina Bulga had a brilliant day representing CBNN yesterday at The Reader in Liverpool for our second CBNN Prize Roadshow, what an amazing turnout! We loved meeting you all 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social

We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at Manchester Animation Festival and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us on Wednesday 12th November, we’re looking forward to meeting you all 📚

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Megan Blount, Ruby Allen-Cadman, Steph Bellwood, and Hannah Welch. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚

The #CBNNPrize is NOW OPEN for entries! Submissions close on Thursday 26 February 2026 For more information on how to enter and full eligibility criteria, please visit the CBNN Prize website - link in bio #CBNN #CBNNPrize #ChildrensBooksNorthNetwork

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Miranda Moore, an author based in the Scottish Borders. Miranda tells us a bit about her second novel that she has recently been working on. Miranda’s debut YA novel, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing, published earlier this month! Link in bio 📚

Join us at on the 18:30 on Wednesday 14th January 2026 for a free practical and inspiring workshop, led by acclaimed designer, judge, and picture book specialist Ness Wood, offering a comprehensive introduction to creating picture books for children. Link in bio for tickets 📚

We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at @ Thought Bubble and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us at Bubbleboy Hall D5a! 📚 @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social @newwritingnorth.bsky.social

In this week’s Northern Highlight, we speak with Sian Wheatcroft. She is an Illustrator based in Doncaster and tells us about a picture book called All the firsts by Toni D'Alia she recently worked on. Link in bio 📚

For our October CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Designer Abby Haddad has chosen I’ll Be There by Rosalind Beardshaw and Karl Newson, published by Nosy Crow. Link in bio for full review 📚 @nosycrow.bsky.social @karlnewson.bsky.social

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Moniza Hossain, a writer based in Manchester. She talks to us about her debut picture book, Street Puppy, Masjid Cat, which came out on the 8th of October, and is illustrated by Wastana Haikal. Link in bio 📚 @monizahossain.bsky.social

In Conversation with… Lydia Monks 3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social

Picture Book Illustration Workshop with Bethan Woollvin 12:30pm-2:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚

CBNN Portfolio Review 1-1 Sessions 10am-11:30am Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co Tickets: Free (Advanced booking is essential) Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @grimmandco.bsky.social

Join Children’s Books North Network for a day of illustration-focused events as part of the CBNN Prize Roadshow, featuring portfolio reviews, a hands-on workshop, and an inspiring illustrator talk. To find out more, go to ChildrensBooksNorth.co.uk/CBNN-Prize @grimmandco.bsky.social

Storytime with the amazing @jamesharris.bsky.social at Durham Book Festival! 📚 @littletigeruk.bsky.social @newwritingnorth.bsky.social

And we are off! The first CBNN Prize Roadshow at DBF has kickstarted with our 1-1 portfolio reviews with Sara, Beth & Emma 📚